A PLAY 

By 
Louise Van Voorhis Armstrong 



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Copyright, 1915, by Louise Van Voorhis Armstrong, 
All Rights Reserved 



NOTICE: Application for permission to perform this play must be made to 
Louise Van Voorhis Armstrong, Art Institute of Chicago, Chicago, 
Illinois. No performance of it may take place without consent of 
the owner of the acting rights. » - t^ 

©GI.D 40932 
JUN 14 1915 



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HIS PLAY was written for and first produced by the 
Girls' Life Class Association, at the Art Insti- 
tute of Chicago, April 14, 1915. The music 
of the play was composed by Mr. Frederick 
P. Hart. The scenery and costumes were 
designed and executed by members 
of the Association. 




(Reincarnation) 
By LOUISE VANVOORHIS ARMSTRONG 



PROLOGUE 

SCENE— The Home of The Girl. 

Characters 

THE GIRL Dorothy Hope Smith 

(Before the curtain — Dorothy Phelps) 

THE MAN Alice Paine 

THE SIREN Helen Munsell 

ZAHIR-U-DIN, an East Indian servant Mildred Chamberlain 

THE DJINNEE Marian Gahan 

GUESTS — Mary Napier, Portia Jacobs, Garada Clark, Alice Harvey, Isabel How- 
ell, Elsinore Girton, Ruth Larson. 

THE PLAY 

ACT I. 

A FOOL FOR A DAY 

Scene — The Hall of the Sieur de Beaulieu's Chateau 

Characters 

THE LADY YOLANDE Dorothy Hope Smith 

ARNULF DE VERMANDOIS Alice Paine 

SIEUR DE CHATEAU BEAULIEU, father of Yolande Florence Hunn 

FLORIMOND DE CHASTELLET, a young courtier Helen Munsell 

ODO, a jester Fay Turpin 

A PALMER Dorothy Todd 

A SERF Laura Brey 

MUSICIANS I Katherine Strode 

I. Elsinore Girton 

TIREWOMEN | Blanche Dalton 

\ Helen Wallace 
FOLLOWERS OF THE CROSS— Constance McMartin, Frances Bulot, Ruth 
Burger, Adona Conklin, Margaret Huntoon, Marion McKittrick, Victoria 
Shekelton, Beatrice Link, Katherine Foster, Juanita Carter, Nancy Alexan- 
der, Mary Berg, Margaret Hickman, Cateau Rolff, Sue Seeley, Vera Mun, 
Marjorie Willsie. 

Costumes and setting for this act designed by Helen Munsell. 



Page 8 NAIYA JANAM 



ACT II. 
THE GIFT FROM PHOENICIA 

Scene — The Palace of Pharaoh Sesokhris 

Characters 

TARURU, the favorite of Pharaoh Dorothy Hope Smith 

PHARAOH SESOKHRIS, ruler of Egypt Alice Paine 

HERKHUF, his Councillor Florence Hunn 

BAURDEED, commander of the Elders Alice Harvey 

ZAZAMANKH, a soothsayer Dorothy Todd 

THE AMBASSADOR FROM PHOENICIA Frieda Helle 

THE GIFT Margaret Caldwell 

NUBIAN SLAVES f Marguerite McCabe 

(, Ella Ruckle 

FAN BEARER Sameera Attijeh 

ATTENDANTS, worshippers of Ra, etc. — Garada Clark, Evylyn Lyon, Olive 
Ashbey, Helen Sawyer, Katheryn Swartout, Mary Napier, Hildegarde 
Kirkwood, Ruth Burger, Vera Mun, Sue Seeley, Frances Bulot, Constance 
McMartin. 

Costumes and srfting for this act designed by Fay Turpin. 



ACT III. 
THE SLAYER'S REWARD 

Scene — A Primordial Village. 

Characters 

THE REWARD Dorothy Hope Smith 

THE HUNTER Alice Paine 

THE SLAYER Charlotte Markham 

THE FATHER Florence Hunn 

VILLAGERS — Laura Brey, Elsinore Girton, Katherine Strode, Portia Jacobs, 
Constance McMartin, Ella Ruckle, Frances Bulot, Mildred Chamberlain. 

Scenery for this act designed and executed by Thilda Olson. 

Properties by H. IV. Armstrong. 



ACT IV. 
THE SOUL OF THE DRYAD 

Scene — An Enchanted Grove. 

Characters 

THE DRYAD Dorothy Hope Smith 

THE SHEPHERD Alice Paine 

THE SIREN Fay Turpin 



NAIYA JANAM ^ ?!^? 

p.^ Bess Devine 

PRTDE 1 ( Katherir.e Strode 

NYMPHS— Garada Clark, Hildegarde Kirkwood, Margaret Caldwell, Mary 
Napier, Evylyn Lyon, Florence Ware. 
Scenery for this act designed and executed by Elisabeth Gibson. 
Costumes by Louise J'an Voarhis Armstrong. 



EPILOGUE 

Scene — The Home of The Girl 
Characters 

lll^l^ ::\\\\-::::::::::::;;:::':°'°*^ArelT;* 

ZAHIR-U DIN.' .'.'.'.'.'.'.'.'.'.'.'.' .'•*•'•' Mildred Chamberlain 



II 



NAIYA J AN AM Page 11 



FOREWORD 

(spoken before the curtain by 7Mhir-u-Din) 

Give us your dreams for an hour; we only strive 
To give brief hints, to make this story seem 

A far, dim, fragrant memory, once alive, 

Whose broken threads now mingle in a dream. 

Judge not by our performance, but our aim, * 

Whether our little play is worth your while : 

And if you find our girl-like heroes tame, 

Give them at least, we pray, a kindly smile. 

But if our words, the little that we do 

Can give your fancies some new, pleasing trend, 
Can make old dreams, once lovely, live anew. 

It is enough. We have achieved our end. 



NAIYA JANAM Page 13 

PROLOGUE 

Characters 

The Girl. 

The Man. 

The Siren. 

Zahir-u-Din, an East Indian servant. 

The Djinnee. 

The Guests. 

Scene: The curtain rises on a sitting room. Fireplace left, large table right. 
In the room beyond several couples in evening dress are seen dancing. Zahir- 
u-Din enters from left, iinth a punch bowl, which he places on the tabid 
and makes ready to serve. Enter from center back all tlie dancers except 
The Girl and The Man, The Siren among them. They gather around the 
punch table, chattering happily. Zahir-u-Din serves them. 

1st Man: I say, you know, this stuff is just going to save my life. 

1st Girl: You're such a fervent dancer, it's no v^^onder you're all worn out. 

1st Man: But see who I've been dancing with! She fairly runs away 

with me. 
The Siren: Now I'll never dance with you again. 
2nd Man (to Siren): You'll dance with me, won't you? 
1st Man (to 2nd Girl): I say, my next one is with you, isn't it? 
2nd Girl: Yes, ours is the next! I promise not to run away with you. 
2nd Man (to 2nd Girl) : Maybe he wishes you would ! 
1st Man: Yes, yes, of course! I was going to say so in just a minute. I 

always have wished you'd run away from me ! (Much laughter by all and 

confusion by hint.) Oh, I say, you know, that wasn't what I meant at all. 

Just a slip of the tongue! 
The Siren: A slip of the tongue already! I'm shocked! 
1st Girl: Oh, now don't tease the poor boy any more! 
3rd Man: (to 1st Girl): Our's is the next! I've been looking forward to it 

for a long time! 
1st Girl: You're right! Our's is the next. I know what I wish they'd 

play. (She hums something softly.) 

(The music starts and all exit except The Siren and the 2nd Man.) 
2nd Man: May I have the pleasure of the next? 
The Siren (looking around as if zvatching for someone) ; I think I have this one. 

(At this moment The Girl and The Man enter. The Man is very attentive. 

The Siren watches them covertly.) 
The Man: If you're tired, suppose we sit this one out. 
The Girl: Oh, I'm not tired. I'm just warm. Let's have some punch. 

(Zahir-u-Din serves punch to them.) 
The Siren (to 2nd Man): I— perhaps I was mistaken. I don't believe I have 

this dance after all. 
2nd Man: Good! Let's not waste a minute! 

(They exit. Zahir-u-Din closes the curtains and exits. The Girl, having 

finished her punch, hands the glass to The Man. In doing so their eyes meet. 

Electric moment. The Girl draivs aivay confused.) 



Page 14 NAIYA JANAM 



The Girl (in a desperate attempt at conversation): It's — it's really quite 

cold tonight, isn't it? Oh, I don't mean the punch. I mean — I just 

mean that it's — well — just cold. 
The Man: (looking at her still, intently, almost yearningly) : Quite cold. Is it 

always going to be cold for me? 
The Girl: Try the fire. That's what it's for. 
The Man: I don't think the fire will do any good. 
The Girl: Why — why how queerly you talk! Are you ill? Oh, I'm sorry 

if you are! 
The Man: Really, truly sorry? 
The Girl: Yes, truly! (Another electric moment.) I — I am always sorry 

for people who are sick. 
The Man: Sorry for — ^just everybody? 
The Girl: Well, nearly everybody. 
The Man: How sorry? 
The Girl: Why, as sorry as — as a person ought to be. Perhaps I'd better 

call someone if you feel very ill. 
The Man: Don't you know you're the only person in the world who can 

do any good? 
The Girl: Just I! Oh, you can't mean that! Come, sit down by the fire. 

You'll feel better soon I'm sure. 
The Man: Mine is an illness only you can cure. 
The Girl: But I don't understand. Don't talk like this. 
The Man: I'll make you understand. Give me a kiss. 
The Girl: How coul'd that help? Oh, no! Not yet! 
The Man: One kiss — and all my sorrow I'll forget! 
The Girl: But after that, what then? 
The Man: Then you will know 

What all my being says — I love you so! 

I love you so! 
The Girl: How strange! Your voice! Your word! 

Deep in my memory these things I have heard 

It seems! But no, it can't be true! 
The Man: Sweetheart, 

You hear the song I've sung for you 

Through all the ages. In the world's sweet youth 

Our hearts have been at one in very truth. 

It's meant to be. Tell me you know — you see! 
The Girl: Oh, let me go! A mist surrounds me quite! 
The Man: Come with me, come, my love, into the light. 

Into the joy of life. 
The Girl: Tomorrow — perhaps tomorrow I will go! 

The Man: Now! Now! You've been mine since the world began. 
The Girl: How could that be? I've never loved a man, 

Not any man at all. 
The Man: But your heart says that isn't true. There must be an image 

in your heart — an image of the man of men. Your image is in my 

heart. It has been there for a million years. 
The Girl: How can you know 

What happened siicli a long, long time ago? 



NAIYA JANAM Page 15 



The Man: It's not hard. For years and years I've been going all about 
the world trying to find the girl who matched the picture. I've seen — 
oh, ever so many girls — 

The Girl: Very many? 

The Man: Hundreds, but none of them mdtched the picture, so I saw 
that they wouldn't do. But, isn't there a picture in your heart? 

The Girl: I don't think so. I've never found it. 

The Man: I'm afraid you don't houseclean your heart often enough. Some- 
time you'll find it. Oh, find it soon! Please find it soon! 

The Girl: I'll try. Soon — very soon! Oh, don't look so sad! You see, 
I've never gone around hunting for pictures like that before. 

The Man: I wonder if I'll match the picture when you do find it. Do 
you think you will remember how I look while you are searching for it? 
(They look searchingly into each others eyes. She is almost in his arms 
when the others enter. The 3rd Man rushes up to The Girl.) 

3rd Man: Our's is the next. I've been looking forward to it for a long 
time. 

The Girl: Yes, our's is the next. (She looks longingly at The Man.) 

The Siren: (to The Man): You are not dancing much tonight. 

The Man (rather shortly): No, not much! 

1st Girl (to The Girl): My dear, this is such a wonderful party. We're hav- 
ing such a good time. 

The Girl: I'm so glad. I'm having a good time, too. (She again glances 
at The Man.) 

2nd Man (to 3rd Girl): I'm going to be selfish. I want the next dance and 
the third from this one. 

3rd Girl: We'll be talked about. 

2nd Man: But think how dreadfully stupid it would be not to be talked 
about. 

1st Man: Oh, I say, who's being talked about? 

3rd Girl: We're afraid we will be if we dance together so much. 

1st Man: But what difiFerence would that make? You've always been 
talked about — favorably, I mean — favorably. 

2nd Man: Come, there's the music. 

(All exit except The Man and The Siren. The Man gloomily strolls to the 
fire and slumps into a chair. The Siren joins him.) 

The Siren: This is a most inviting fire. I trust I'm not intruding? 
(Silence. Suddenly The Man realises that she has spoken to him.) 

The Man: Eh? Oh, no, certainly not! 

The Siren: You might be taken for a man in love just now — or, shall we 
say a child with a new plaything? 

The Man (starting up): What do you mean? 

The Siren: What is the use of heroics? Haven't I seen enough of your 
antics to — well, to recognize the symptoms. 

The Man: This is something I will not discuss with you. 

The Siren: There is little need of discussing it. Have you the same for- 
mula for all of them? 

The Man: All of thern! I wish that I had never seen any other. I wish 
I could have come to her like a simple shepherd boy of old, wandering 
into enchanted woods to the call of a dryad. 



Page 16 NAIYA JANAM 



The Siren: But I doubt not that the shepherd boy found a large and 

thriving population of dryads in the enchanted wood. 
The Man: Perhaps he found one siren, who robbed him of his dreams 

and left him wandering alone and desolate until the dryad whispered 

a secret to him, the secret of happiness. 
The Siren: Is it my fault that you were born a fool? 

The Man: No! Neither is it your fault that I did not continue to be one. 
The Siren: Is that a boast? Remember, "Pride goes before a fall." 
The Man: Oh, why keep on talking like that? I've learned my lesson. 
The Siren: Do you think a brainless child can satisfy you now? 
The Man: I can see that you are determined to make me say things I will 

be sorry for. You can't rekindle the love you threw away, therefore you try 

to arouse my temper instead. Undoubtedly you will succeed. I will 

give you the victory by default, by leaving the field of battle. 

(He rises to leave. The Siren hastily glances through the curtains into the 

hall-room, then comes to him and puts her hands on his shoulders, looking 

up at him mockingly.) 
The Siren: So you're afraid of me, poor, little weakling? 
The Man (snatching her wrists and holding her azvay from him): The 

cat's claws have lost their grip upon me, I tell you. Also the wounds 
they made are healed. You no longer have the power to do me harm. 

(Just then the music stops. The Girl's voice is heard. "That was a lovely 

dance!" Just as she parts the curtain, The Siren gasps out "Oh, let me go! 

Let m.e go!" With a quick action she makes it appear that she has just 

broken away from his embraces. She staggers across the room, staring at 

him as if terrified. Tableau — The dancers just entering, The Girl looking 

horror stricken from one to the other. The Man filled with rage. The other 

girls all gather quickly around The Siren.) 
All: Oh, what is it? 

What did he do? 

Oh, you poor child. 

Tell us what has happened! 

What does this mean ? 

Did he dare? 

Oh, tell us what's the matter! 
The Siren: Let him tell you! 

(All look at The Man. The Man looks beseechingly at The Girl. She turns 

away weeping.) 
The Man: I refuse to say anything. I will explain only to our hostess. 
The Siren: He will not dare to tell the truth. 
The Girl: Go, please, everyone! You cannot know how this has grieved 

me! (Exit all except The Man and The Girl.) 
The Man: Let me explain. 

The Girl: To explain is quite impossible. Please go! 
The Man: Give me a chance. Please don't say no! 
The Girl: Perhaps to her those very things you said 
You told to me so short a while ago! 
Give me a kiss! Give me a kiss! you said. 
Deep in your eyes the secret of all love I read, 
Or so I thought ! 



NAIYA JANAM Page 17 



The Man: Sweetheart, you read aright! 

Now your words plunge me into blackest night. 
She played a trick upon me. This is true. 
My love, my very soul belong to you ! 
Say you believe me! 
The Girl: No. that I can't believe. 

The Man: Oh, that the day should come I made you grieve! 
Let the past go. Only the future see. 
No hurt can you remember long with me, 
Safe in my arms. 
The Girl: Your arms held her the moment I was gone! 
The Man: That is not true. My love, you do me wrong. 
The Girl: I tell you, you must go! 
The Man: You can't mean this. Don't let one moment make our whole 

lives sad. 
The Girl: You must leave me. 
The Man (catching her in his arms): No! No! Let my kisses tell you that 

I speak the truth! 
The Girl: It is your fault. No other man I love. You were untrue. 
The Man: By all the heavens above 

I love no one but you. I love you so. 

T beg your mercy, dear. 
The Girl: I tell you, go! 

(Exit The Man. The Girl collapses iceeping into a chair by the fire. After 

a brief motncnt, Zahir-u-Din enters. She stops zveeping, but sits gazing into 

the fire, the picture of woe. Zahir-u-Din, after a few furtive glances at her, 

seems to understand the situation.) 
Zahir-u-Din: The Memsahib is sad. Pardon the dust under thy feet for 

noticing. 
The Girl: Yes, I am sad. 
Zahir-u-Din: I fear the Heavenborn is in the clutches of the great illness. 

which all sufifer from, yet seek, even as precious gems are sought for, 

aye, and fought for. 
The Girl: I wish this night had never been, and yet. something has 

wakened in me, wakened only to die. 
Zahir-u-Din: Love cannot die, oh dispenser of delight! It comes into the 

world with us when we are born in the morning of creation, and re- 
mains with us through all our lives unto the end of time. 
The Girl: Do you believe that, Zahir-u-Din? 
Zahir-u-Din: Would thy servant dare lie unto the flower of flowers, the 

little moon, whose light puts out the sun? 
The Girl (half to herself): When he spoke to me — it seemed as if his voice 

had been in my heart forever. Oh — and it will be forever. 
Zahir-u-Din (quietly, as if ansii^ering her thoughts rather than her zvords) : 

The voice of thy true love has been in thy heart forever. 
The Girl: I seem to see him as in a twilight long ago. 
Zahir-u-Din (speaking almost monotonously) : You did see him in the twilight 

long ago. 
The Girl: How can I part from him? He must be mine. It seems as if 

he has been mine. 
Zahir-u-Din: He has been and must be thine. 



Page 18 NAIYA JANAM 

The Girl (sinking back into the chair dreamily): When was it? Where? 
Zahir-u-Din: All thy lives lived in the past could tell thee. Thy love hath 
been ever by thy side through the long journey of thy Naiya-Janam, 
the weary process of thv reincarnation. (He squats just where the curtains 
meet, at the hack of the 'room, and, taking a little flute from his clothes, begins 
piping upon it softly.) 
The Girl (dreamily): What shall I do, where lind my happiness? 
Oh, if the future I could only guess! 
Dim voices of the past, tell me I pray, 
Into what path my weary heart must stray! 
(The piping turns into a crash. Darkness and long roll of thunder. Spot- 
light. Zahir-u-Din has disappeared, and in his place stands a radiant creature, 
the D jinnee. The Girl starts up, fascinated by him.) 
The Girl: Strange creature, who are you? Why are you here? 
The Djinnee: Thy summons reached me in the far dim vastness! 
The winds brought me! A song guided me hither 
To do thy will ! 
The Girl: My summons brought you? Are you the voice of all the yes- 
terdays, the spirit of the mystic sometime I feel but cannot see? 
The Djinnee: A spirit sprung from out the white-hot fire 

Am I. Centuries I have roamed the whirHng space 
Between the planets, my flame blood racing 

through my veins. 
All the tales I know of all the loves of all the many earths. 
And thine among them! Wouldst thou see thy little lives, 
Repeating each the other like the links 
Of a great chain? 
The Girl: Spirit, I fear to look upon those lives. What shall I see? 
The Djinnee: Thine own predestined lover calling thee throughout the 
ages; 
Thine own heart ever answering the call. 
The Girl: And our great happiness, oh Spirit? 

The Djinnee: Thy grief as well. For when they destiny was in thy hands 
Always a lingering evil creeping into thy path 
Cast shadows over the brightness of thy joy. Such beings 
Hurled to earth by shooting stars, flung by any angry God, 
Wander forever through life's dismal wastes. 
Lurking in darkness, feasting upon lies. 
The Girl: Your words take all my courage from me! 
Are these evils ever by my side? 
How can I hope for happiness? 
The Djinnee: Listen unto the voices in thy heart. Believe them! 
The Girl: No voice but his is in my heart. I hear only his pleadings, yet 

I am lost in a dark sea of doubt! 
The Djinnee: Come with me! I'll lead thee through the land of yesterdays! 
Thou shalt see thy other lives and know 
Whither to seek thy happiness. 
The Girl: I'll go! 

With you into the shadow land where first I knew 
The love that's meant to be, the love that's true! 
The Djinnee: My mystic veil shall cover thee! My hand 
Lead thee into the past's forgotten land. 

(He throws the veil over her, and takes her hand. She follows him wonder- 
ingly as the curtain falls.) 



NAIYA JANAM Page 19 



BEFORE THE CURTAIN 

(The Djinnec leads The Girl through the curtains and they pause a moment in 
in the center of the stage.) 

The Djinnee: Far have we wandered. Now before our gaze 
Fair Chivalry arises like the rays 
Of sunset in the twilight of the past! 

Wouldst see brave knights, wouldst hear the trumpet blast 
Of tournament and battle? In this age 
Did the true soldiers of the Cross engage 
In holy wars. Raise thy veil! Thou shalt see 
The little self that in those years was thee! 

(He leads her to the right of the stage. She sits doimi and he stands behind 
her as the curtain rises on the Mediaeval Scene.) 



NAIYA JANAM Page 21 

ACT I. 

A FOOL FOR A DAY 

Characters 
The Lady Yolande. 
Arnulf de Vermandois. 

SiEUR 0E Chateau Beaulieu, father of Yolande. 
Florimond de Chastellet, a young courtier. 
Odo, a jester. 
A Palmer. 
A Serf. 
Followers of the Cross, Musicians and Tirewomen. 

Scene: The hall of a Norman castle. To the left is a slightly raised platform 
on which stand two high-backed chairs, not exactly a throne, but a seat of 
honor. On the floor of this platform sits Arnulf. He has on a jester's 
head-dress and ruff, and holds a bauble in his hand, but he is shrouded in a 
big cloak, which quite covers him. He is watching the Lady Yolande. 
zi^ho is dancing a gavotte with Florimond. The Sieur sits in one of the high- 
backed chairs, also zvatching. To the right of the stage stands Odo, the 
jester, in full jester's costume. Beside him are two musicians, playing for 
the dancers. As the dance stops, Florimond stoops and kisses the lady's 
hand. 

Florimond (lisping): In thooth ath thprightly a meathure ath ever tripped 
knight and lady! 

Yolande (turning to one of the musicians): 'Twas a merry tune, and well 
played ! Thou hast magic in thy bow. 

Odo: 'Twas the grace of thy dancing bewitched him, my lady! 

Sieur: What ho! A fool making pretty speeches? 

Odo: Better a fool making pretty speeches, my lord, than pretty speeches 
making a fool! 

Florimond: Well thaid, thir fool, well thaid! 

Sieur: Well said, indeed! Play yet another tune! T would have mirth 
within these halls, for verily, my ears are tired of the continual prating 
and preaching, and the everlasting "On to Jerusalem!" 

Florimond: Ay, the cruthades ! Truly a fool'th buthineth to my thinking! 

Arnulf (rising and glaring at Florimond): Dost thou think? 'Tis beyond 
belief. (There is a sudden silence, then the Sieur bursts into uproarious 
laughter.) 

Sieur: By my hilt, he had thee there. Sir Florimond! Who art thou? 
Why hast thou not spoken before? Thy wit likes me well! 

Arnulf: I am but a strolling clown, my lord. 

Sieur: How camest thou here? 

Yolande: My lord, 'twas at my command that he was admitted! Lo, as I 
returned with my hawks after this morning's hunt, I found him shiver- 
ing and half starved by the highroad. I bade him follow me. I trust 
that my father is not displeased. The priests say that we do acquire 
grace through acts of charity. 

Sieur: Speak to me not of priests! The whole country's turned priest! 
The whole land is mad, crazed with this new fad, the crusades! But 



Page 22 NAIYA JANAM 



thou didst well to bring the fool home with thee! What wast thou 
said, sir fool? 

Arnulf: Unlike good wine, a jest retold, 
Gains not in flavor when 'tis old! 

Sieur: Right again! Thou hast a ready tongue! 

Florimond (suddenly brightening) : He had thee there, my lord, I think! 

Sieur: Think! (He bursts into laughter again.) Now I remember! What 
canst thou do besides talk, sir visiting fool? An thou art as clever as 
doth appear from thy beginning I shall never have thee parted from me. 

Odo (rushing forward in great alarm): Have I not served thee well, my lord? 
Forget not the japes I have japed for thee these many years! 

Sieur: Oh, thou fearest for thine exalted position, dost thou? I but 
thought thee'd like a brother in folly! Two fools within one household 
is not too many in these woebegone days! (To Arnulf): How thinkest 
thou? Are two too many? 

Arnulf: Methinks two would be but a moderate supply, my lord! Per- 
chance more might be found! (He glances at Florimond.) 

Sieur (laughing again): Truly thy tongue is as sharp as is the point of my lance. 
The more fools the better, say I, in these mad times ! Marry, I had rather 
the whole country turned fool than priest ! 

Yolande (hastily crossing herself): My father, thou speakest sacrilege! 

Sieur: Eh? Thou dost enough praying for us twain! Come, sir nimble 
tongue, a roundelay! Let it be a lilting ditty to drive whining church- 
men from my brain. Mind! I'll have no chants! 

Florimond: Aye, thing uth thome ballad of knightly deedth! 

Arnulf (turning to Yolande): What would my lady have me sing? 

Yolande: What thou wilt; whatever is in thy mind. 

Arnulf (singing): 

This glad today my love was born; 
My heart is filled with early morn! 
Today I learned love's secret lore, 
My eyes see her whom I adore — 
Her whom sweet graces do adorn. 

Though she may laugh my love to scorn, 
May cast me out — alone, forlorn. 
Ever shall memory restore 

This glad today! 

They say that each rose hath its thorn; 
Tell me, will my heart soon be torn? 
Must I leave thee forevermore? 
Throw wide, my love, thy dear heart's door, 
Say that thy true love ne'er shall mourn 
This glad today! 

(There can be no doubt that Arnulf is singing his song to the Lady Yolande. 

She seems to understand, and not to be altogether displeased.) 
Arnulf (to Yolande): How likest thou the rondel, my lady? 
Yolande (haughtily): Methought 'twas well enough rhymed, though I heard not 

all of it. 
Sieur: 'Twas not to my liking! Love's ever dismal. Sing to us of war, 

sir fool. T do yearn for cheerful subjects to banish these days of gloom! 



NAIYA JANAM Page 23 



Odo: Let me tell thee of wars, my lord! Many a tale — 

(They are interrupted by the hasty entrance of a serf.) 
Serf: My lord, there may be seen coming in this direction a great company 

of persons, whether they be knights or no, we cannot yet see. Bertrand 

of the Guards hath bid me bring thee word! 
Sieur: Perchance it be those crusaders! Come, Sir Florimond, let us look 

from the window of the tower! 
Florimond: Yea, perchanth it be the cruthaders! Leth away! 

(All exit except Arniilf. Just as Yolande goes, she drops a rose zuhich she 
lias been wearing. Arnulf picks it up and kis\ses it. He is sitting on the 

edge of the raised platform, looking very sentimental and sad, when Odo 
returns. Arnulf does not see Odo at first, but Odo soon breaks in rudely 

upon his dreams.) 
Odo: How now, thou bundle of melancholy! What are thou mooning 

over? (Arnulf does not hear him at first, and Odo taps him on the shoulder.) 
Odo: Thou wast spoken too, Sir Glum Despondency. 
Arnulf: Who spoke? Oh, only thou! 
Odo: Only thou? This from an intruder who worms his way into my 

lord's castle, and then would usurp my place! 
Arnulf: I want not thy place. 

Odo: So? Then why art thou here? ^ 

Arnulf: I would look upon paradise! 
Odo (looking at him shrezvdly and seeing the rose for the first time): Oho! 

So thou dost cast sheep's eyes at the Lady Yolande! 
Arnulf (jumping to his feet): Have a care! One word of disrespect, and 

thou shalt be split to thy miserable weazand ! 
Odo: I spoke no disrespect! I spoke no disrespect! But thy words, sir 

fool, fit not thy station. Thou dost speak as speaks a lord, not a 

servant! 
Arnulf: 'Tis idling time to speak with the like of thee at all. 
Odo: Then will I leave thee to thy sentimental dreaming! Yet one thing 

I tell thee — thou shalt not have my place! 
Arnulf: And I tell thee I'd not have thy place for a dukedom! Within 

a few days at most I must be upon my way! Yet — yet, tell me — can it 

be possible that the Lady Yolande sees aught in that simpering jacka- 
napes, Florimond? 
Odo: Belike she sees more in him than in a painted clown! (He strikes an 

attitude and mimics Arnulf's song): 

This glad today I do forecast 
Thou'lt wish in sooth could be thy last! 
Do cap and bells and painted face 
And jesting tongue win love's embrace? 
The age of miracles is past 
This glad today! 
Arnulf: The eyes of true love should be able to penetrate through any 

mask. 
Odo: Mask? Mask, sayest thou? Now are my suspicions confirmed. 

Thou'rt no wandering clown. Thy cap and bells are but a disguise! 

Who art thou? 
Arnulf: Thou hast guessed aright, sir fool! Now do I command thee that 

thou shalt keep my secret. I am of noble birth and did but don these 



Page 24 NAIYA JANAM 



clothes for a jest, that I might wander about among the people and amuse 
myself as one of them. Last night I was returning to my brother's 
castle, when into the highroad sprang three cut-throats. I kept them 
at bay for a while, until one slipped behind me, and smote me a shrewd 
buflfet on the head. This morning I awoke, to find myself sprawling 
in the bushes, with a broken pate and no purse. I had just picked 
myself up when the Lady Yolande passed, with her hunting party. In- 
stantly she saw that I was in sore need, and commanded her henchmen 
to bring me to the castle. Ah, surely there did never live another so 
fair and kind as is the Lady Yolande! 

Odo: Yea, she hath a kind heart. She doth bind up the wounded foot of 
her hound with fine, soft linen, and she doth weep over the broken 
wing of her hawk; yet, she is the daughter of the Sieur de Chateau 
Beaulieu, and that she ne'er forgets. If thou would'st woo her, sir — 
whoever thou art — I do advise thee to dofif thy cap and bells, and 
appear before her in all the splendor of thy wealth and position, for 
such things will greatly strengthen thy arguments! 

Arnulf: That I'll not do! I tell thee her eyes did dwell upon me with 
pity — nay — and with a something more than pity! An I am not man 
enough to make my way into her heart with my pleading, methinks 
my little worldly wealth would avail me naught. 

Odo: 'Tis not wealth, but pride! The Lady Yolande would not stoop to 
love one beneath her position any more than she would forsake the 
church. 

Arnulf: Nay, but love should seek nobility of character, not the empty 
honor of titles. 

Odo: Mayhap thou'rt right. There be many "shoulds" in this world, that 
turn hot into "woulds." But I tell thee, thou'lt never win her in thy 
jester's garb. Hist! 'Tis the lady herself returning! I'll leave thee, 
and good luck to thee, sir lover. I would wish thee well, now that I 
see thou dost not seek for my place with my lord! 

(The Lady Yolande enters, left, just as Odo exits, right. She is a bit startled 
at finding herself alone ivith Arnulf.) 

Yolande: Hast thou found a rose hereabouts, sir jester? I did but just 
now lose that which was in my hair! 

Arnulf: Yes, my lady, I have found thy rose. 

Yolande: Then give it me! (Arnulf makes no move to do so. There is a long 
f'ausc. They look into each other's eyes, and the lady hastily looks away. 
Arnulf draws nearer to her.) 

Arnulf: My lady, this morning as I lay by the roadside, and thine eyes 
did gaze down upon me my heart leapt within my breast, and it seemed 
that I lived for the first time! Such kindness as thine is of heaven, 
my lady! Never will I forget this day. Therefore do I beseech thee 
that thou wilt permit me to keep this little fragrant memory of thy 
loveliness. I will cherish it even as a sacred relic! 

Yolande: Thou art bold, sir fool! Thou dost ask a favor of Yolande de 
Chateau Beaulieu such as few knights have received! 

Arnulf: Is the favor granted, dear lady? 

Yolande: Does it mean so much to thee? 

Arnulf: More than all else in the world, my lady! All the manhood within 
me doth cry out with joy at the knowledge that in thy heart there was 
for one moment some little thought of me, some sorrow at my distress! 



NAIYA J AN AM Page 25 



Ah, how T do now bless the hand that smote me last night, for it was 
that blow which led thee to my side! 

Yolande: Thou dost lay too much importance upon the deed. Could I 
leave even the lowest serf to die by the highroad? 

Arnulf: Nay, my lady, take not my great joy from me! When thine eyes 
did rest upon mine, I did read, dear lady — dare I say it — I did think 
perchance I read a something more than the look which thou wouldst 
have bestowed upon a serf; even thou, whose heart hath the gentleness 
of the holy angels! Let me at least believe that thy pity was for me 
alone — not just for a wounded creature! 

Yolande: Why should my pity have been for thee alone? 

Arnulf: Thy pardon, my lady, but thy loveliness did so completely fill 
my heart, it seemed impossible that I could feel so strongly and not 
kindle in thee some little answering spark to the — to the love that 
overpowered me! Now I have said it! Forgive me if I have presumed 
too far! 

Yolande: Thou hast presumed far indeed to dream that I would have one 
thought of a fool in cap and bells! Art thou mad, sir jester? 

Arnulf: Is it impossible to believe that under a patchwork garment a true 
heart throbs? 

Yolcinde: Oh, thou art annoying me! I bid thee be silent! 

Arnulf (suddenly springing toi^'ards her): Thou dost bid me be silent 
when every pulse within me is crying out my love for thee, for thee, 
the one woman in all this world, the one for whom my soul has sought 
in vain. I have found thee! I have found thee! My heart says "She 
is there!" Look into my eyes, beloved, not at my jester's trappings! 
Look into my eyes, and the love in them will tell thee that nothing 
matters save only our love! Give me thy hand and together we will 
seek the mountain top of all the world. 

(Yolande is completely taken off her guard by this outburst. She looks at 
him, half frightened, half yielding. He looks steadily at her, hardly knowing 
Xi'hat to believe. Suddenly she remembers. Her e.vpression changes into one 
of cold pride again.) 

Yolande: Sir fool, I would have my rose! 

(Arnulf takes it from his jacket and hands it to her. She throws it on the 
floor. At this point voices are heard off stage. "We would see the Sieur de 
Chateau Beaulicu!" Enter the Sieur. followed by Florimond, Odo, and the 
Serf. He sits down, in one of the high-backed chairs. From outside: "We 
li'onld enlist the Sieur de Chateau Beaulieu in the war of God!" 

Serf: Shall I admit them now, my lord? 

Sieur: Aye, admit the rabble! 

Yolande: My father, what is it? (She goes and sits beside him.) 

Sieur: It is the crusaders, the half-crazed mob starting on their fool's 
venture. 

Florimond: Ay, the cruthaders on theiy way to Jeruthalem, the holy thity! 
(The crusaders enter. There are among them peasants, palmers, men, zvomen 
and children of all stations, wearing a cross on their left shoulder. A palmer 
is spokesman for them.) 

Palmer: Long life to the Sieur de Chateau Beaulieu! 

All: Long life to the Sieur de Chateau Beaulieu! 

Sieur: For what reason must the lord of Chateau Beaulieu be intruded 
upon by the like of these cattle? 



Page 26 NAIYA JANAM 



All: We would have a captain to lead us to Jerusalem! We would have 
a leader! 

Palmer: My lord, these be men and women who go to do God's work in 
the holy land, to deliver the tomb of Christ from the infidel! They be 
true and worthy in the sight of God, yet do they greatly need one who 
is versed in the work of war to take command of them, to direct them, 
both on their long journey to Jerusalem, and when they are face to 
face with the Saracen. Thou art a knight of prowess! Men do respect 
thee, and all know thee to have performed full many a noble deed 
in the wars of our king. Therefore do these servants of the Lord 
beseech thee to accompany them. It is the will of God ! 

Sieur: Dost take the Sieur de Chateau Beaulieu for such a fool as thyself? 
Verily, thy crusade is reducing the land to ruin! The fields lie untilled. 
The men go far away, leaving the country unprotected and open to the 
assaults of barbarians! 

Palmer: Thy opposition is now but a voice crying in the wilderness, my 
lord! Dost know that Count Raymond of Toulouse, the most powerful 
prince of Southern France, hath pledged himself to go forth with a 
great host? 

Sieur: Yea, and dost know that at Chartre a company started out, led by 
a mad woman, and yet another followed in the tracks of a goat? I tell 
thee the country is mad! 
(Grumbles of anger among the crusaders.) 

Palmer: Hast thou heard the words of Peter the Hermit, the holy man, 
who hath been in our midst, who hath seen with his own eyes the 
destruction which the heathen have wrought in the land where Christ 
lived and was crucified? 

All: Ay! Thou hast not heard the words of the beloved of God! Thou 
hast not heard the words of Peter the Hermit! 

Sieur: I'll not heed the words of a fanatic! 

Yolande: My father, wouldst thou insult a holy man? 

Palmer: Thus ran the words of Peter the Hermit: "Put all the love of 
earthly possessions behind thee. Let thy ceaseless war at home come 
to an end. Start upon the way to the Holy Sepulchre! Wrench the 
land from the accursed race! Christ Himself shall be thy leader, and 
great will be thy everlasting reward!" 

Sieur: I shall not go upon thy mad venture with thee. 

All (kneeling) : A leader ! A leader ! We would have a leader ! 

(Suddenly Amulf steps in front of them. He zuhisks off his jester's head- 
dress and ruff, throuis aside his cloak, and tosses his bauble to the floor. He 
stands revealed as a you}ig knight.) 

Arnulf: Then gladly will Arnulf de Vermandois, brother of Count Hugh, 
be thy leader! 

All: Our leader! Our leader! The blessing of God upon our leader! 

Yolande: Thou? Arnulf de Vermandois? 

(She starts towards him appealingly as if asking his forgiveness. He looks 
long at her and then decides.) 

Arnulf: Pride rules thy heart. 

Thou didst see but my dress. 
Now when we part, 
I cannot love thee less! 



NAIYA JANAM Page 27 



Thou hast said no; 
I must endure thy loss. 
Farewell, my love; I go 
They way of the sword, the Cross ! 

(He raises his sword like the Cross and exits, followed by the crusaders. 
Everyone follows them except the Lady Yolande.) 

All: It is the will of God! It is the will of God! On to Jerusalem! 

(The Lady Yolande looks after them sadly, then sees the fester's bauble, 
which Arnulf has thrown on the floor. She picks it up and kisses it cts the 
curtain goes doivn. The hymn of the crusades is heard off stage.) 



IJ 



NAIYA JANAM Page 29 



BEFORE THE CURTAIN 

(The D jinnee leads Tlie Girl hack to the center of the stai^c.) 

The Djinnee: Now thou hast seen thy love go forth from thee 

To battle for the Cross in that far land, 

Leaving in thy heart bitter memory. 

Only too late didst thou then understand. 

What evil spirit was there by thy side? 
The Girl: Spirit, I listened to the voice of Pride! 

(As they go through the curtains, the ciil sl^irit of Pride stalks across the 

stage and follows them.) 



NAIYA JANAM Page 31 



BEFORE THE CURTAIN 

(The Djinnce leads Tlie Girl through the curtains, and they f^aiisc a moment 
in the center of the stage.) 

The Djinnee: Into the farther dimness have we gone, 
Where dark, majestic Pharaoh's haughty smile 
Made Egypt blossom in the crimson dawn 
More lovely than the lotus of the Nile. 
And thou didst know the secret thoughts that hid 
Deep in the heart of Pharaoh. Thou shalt see 
How in the shadow of the pyramid 
Plis love did Egypt's lord reveal to thee! 
His proud, imperious heart was all thine own, 
And thou didst share with him his very throne! 

(He leads her to the right of the stage, and the curtain rises on the Egyptian 
scene.) 



NAIYA JANAM "" Page 33 

ACT II. 
THE GIFT FROM PHOENICIA 

Characters 
Taruru, the favorite of Pharaoh. 
Pharaoh Sesokhris. ruler of Egypt. 
Herkhuf, his Councillor. 
Baurdeed, Commander of the Elders. 
Zazamankh, a Soothsayer. 
The Ambassapor from Phcenicia. 
The Gift. 
Slaves, Priests and Priestesses, Attendants, Guards, Etc. 

Scene: The council room of Pharaoh's palace at Memphis. An elaborate 
dizvaii over zvhich is hung a canopy stands to the right. The center of the 
stage has a broad arch looking out upcn a terrace. A statue of the god Ra 
is seen silhouetted against the orange-colored sky. The council room is dark 
except for a brazier to the left, near which tzvo men, Herkhuf and Baurdecd 
are standing. Music is heard off stage, and a procession of urorshippers is 
seen passing along the terrace, chanting a song of praise to the god Ra. The 
worshippers raise their arms in salutaticn to the god as they pass the statue. 

The song of the worshippers: 

Divine disposer of man's destiny, 
Ra, god of light; 
Ra, god of gods; 

Thine altars shall stand until eternity, 
Ra, god of light; 
Lend us thy might! 

Kings shall bow down unto thy majesty, 
God, sun-disc crowned, 
Ra, god of gods; 

Ruled by thy sons shall all Egypt be! 
Ra, god of gods; 
Thy praises sound! 
(This is repeated in a monotonous chant, finally dying azvay in the distance, 
when the entire procession has passed. Baurdeed drazi's the curtains across 
the arch. The stage becomes lighter. The two men drazv near each other. 
Herkhuf i^ in the prime of life, a subtile, capable man of the zvorld. Baur- 
decd is an old man, saddened by the zueight of his years.) 
Baurdeed: It was the worshippers of the sun-god! Daily do they become 

more powerful within the realm of Pharaoh. 
Herkhuf: Yea, their numbers increase, and their priesthood are become 

strong, strong — and I fear ambitious. 
Baurdeed: What says the King to this? 

Herkhuf: The eyes of Pharaoh are blinded by a light powerful even as 
that of the sun-god — in the dazzling radiance of his love he sees naught 
but the face of the Lady Taruru. His ears hear naught but her words. 
Yea, though all Egypt call out to him, he hears not. 
Baurdeed: Today has come the Ambassador from Phoenicia, bearin" unto 
our lord a gift — a princess of matchless beauty, the daughter of Abdosir, 



Page 34 NAIYA JANAM 



Prince of Tyre. May it be the will of Osiris that she shall fascinate 
the Lord of all Egypt. 

Herkhuf: It is hopeless. He sees naught but the face of the Lady Taruru. 
She holdeth the heart of Pharaoh within the hollow of her hand. 

Baurdeed: Thrice hath the Prince of Tyre sent maidens of manifold 
charms unto our master, and even thrice hath Pharaoh refused to look 
upon them. 

Herkhuf: Aye, and thrice have the altars of Astarte been bathed in the 
blood of these maidens. 

Baurdeed: I tell thee, oh Herkhuf, it is not wise thus to anger a nation 
with whom Egypt hath a commerce so profitable. Fine cloth of their 
weaving doth encircle the limbs of Pharaoh. From their crystal goblets 
doth he drink his wine. They are a powerful and a wise people — these 
Phoenicians. 

Herkhuf: Yea, even of these things have I spoken, oh Baurdeed; yet do I 
tell thee that the Lord of all Egypt, the descendant of Osiris, sees 
naught but the face of the Lady Taruru, hears naught but the music of 
her voice. In the harem is wailing and desolation, for none have found 
favor in the sight of the King save only the Lady Taruru. 
(They sliake their heads. A Nubian slave enters and prostrates himself 
before Herkhuf.) 

Herkhuf: Speak, slave! 

Slave: My lord, at the gates of the palace is one with gaunt countenance 
and burning eyes, a soothsayer, whom men call Zazamankh. His 
words do shake the foundations of the pyramids, and drown all Egypt 
in a sea of darkness! He would have audience with Pharaoh. What 
is thy command, oh councillor of the King of Kings? 
(Trumpets are heard off stage.) 

Herkhuf: It is the hour for the attendance of Pharaoh in the council 
chamber. Do thou bring hither the soothsayer. 
(Exit slave.) 

Baurdeed: Perchance the soothsayer's prophecies may awaken our lord 
from his dream of love! 

Herkhuf (shaking his head doubtfully): The descendant of the gods is 
young, very young! He will be loath to awaken from dreams of the 
Lady Taruru. 

(More trumpeting and music is heard, and voices crying "Make way for 
Pharaoh Sesokhris, King of Kings, Descendant of Osiris!" Pharaoh's pro- 
cession enters. Among the attendants are guards, courtiers, court beauties, 
slaves, etc. Pharaoh comes at the end of the procession, followed by tzvo 
guards. The attendants group themselves around the diivan and Pharaoh 
ascends and seats himself amid the cushions. He is about tzventy years old, 
a man in his build and his manner, but zvith a touch of the boy still to be 
seen in his face, in spite of the passionate glozv of his eyes and the firm set 
of his jaw. Herkhuf comes forzvard and kneels.) 

Pharaoh: Speak, my councillor! The ears of Pharaoh await thy words! 

Herkhuf: Oh. King of Kings, Lord of the Two Worlds, live forever, that 
the brilliance of thy countenance may lighten the burdens of all Egypt! 
Thy humble servant would speak to thee of a matter which shall come 
to thy notice this day. Thy servant would advise thee, would place 
the wisdom of his years at the disposal of thy young mind. There 
comes today an Ambassador from the Phoenicians. He brings as a 
gift to Pharaoh the fairest daughter of a great prince. Thrice have the 
gifts from this land been despised by thee, oh my King. This time, I 



NAIYA JAN AM Page 35 



do pray thee in the name of Egypt, anger not by thine indiflference 
those with whom thy merchants would carry on successful commerce. 
Accept the gift, oh Protector of Egypt! 

Pharaoh: And has Pharaoh become the slave of Egypt? I have told thee 
that I will have none other for my consort than the Lady Taruru. 
She shall be the divine one — the royal wife of Pharaoh! None other 
shall the eyes of Pharaoh behold! 

Herkhuf: Oh, thou living light of all Egypt, the Lady Taruru is beautiful 
even as the Nile goddess, yet is she from the people. I do entreat thee 
to despise not the Princess of the Phoenicians. 

(The curtains at the back of the room are suddenly parted, and the Lady 
Taruru stands there, accompanied by her slave girls. Pharaoh starts up from 
the dnvan, and stands upon the steps of it. He extends his amis to her.) 

Pharaoh: Oh, thou beloved of Pharaoh, draw near that I may look into 
thine eyes. 

Taruru: Oh, thou chosen one of the sun, by the love that thou bearest 
me, I do demand of thee the life of Herkhuf, thy Councillor! 

Pharaoh: Nay, these words come not from the golden heart of my lotus 
flower. Herkhuf hath ever been my friend and kindly adviser. 

Taruru: He would snatch me frome thine arms! 

Pharaoh: Nay, that he shall never do! Come hither, thou moon of my 
delight! Thou shalt sit by the side of Pharaoh, his queen!. 
(She ascends to him, giving Herkhuf a look of hatred. She reclines on 
the cushions, Pharaoh beside her, nozv utterly oblivious to everything^ else 
about him.) 

Taruru (looking fixedly into the eyes of Pharaoh): I would have the life 
of Herkhuf, for he would poison thy mind with his words, even as he 
would delight to poison the cup of Taruru, an he dared. He would 
steal from us our happiness! 

Herkhuf: My Lord. My King, I seek only to remind thee of Egypt! As 
thou art all in all to Egypt, so may Egypt be all in all to thee, that 
thy name may go down unto posterity as the ruler of rulers, such as 
the like has not been known since the beginning of all things. 

Pharaoh: Must Egypt steal from Pharaoh the crown jewel of all his 
realm? Must Egypt take from Pharaoh the food for which he hungers, 
the wine for which he thirsts? Has Egypt not thrived under my hand? 
Are not her fields golden with grain? Are not her hills white with 
vast feeding flocks? Do not her cities rise towards the sun-god, seek- 
ing to rival his blinding light with their splendor? Have I not caused 
to be built a tomb such as will defy the centuries, such as will make 
the name of Pharaoh Sesokhris echo throughout the ages? Thou 
whinest of "Egypt!" "Egypt!" Am I not Egypt? 

Herkhuf: Aye! Thou art Egypt! Thou art all that is majesty! Yet, 
Lord, would I bring to thine ears whispers which threaten Egypt, as 
she sleeps in the luxury of her greatness! Be not blind, my King, to 
restless ambition within thy kingdom, and ever watchful enemies 
without! 

Taruru: Let the hand of death be placed over the mouth of thy prating 
councillor, oh Pharaoh! 

Herkhuf: Pharaoh, who would stop thine ears to the call of Egypt, loves 
thee not! 

Pharaoh: Silence, lest T be tempted to take thy miserable life! 

(Herkhuf zvithdrazvs. just as the shwe returns zmth the soothsayer.) 



Page 36 NAIYA JANAM 



Baurdeed (hastily coming forward): Is it the will of Pharaoh that Zaza- 
mankh, the soothsayer, be admitted to the royal presence? 

Pharaoh: Yea, admit the soothsayer. He shall make thee recant thy 
messages of gloom, oh Herkhuf! He shall tell the tale of Egypt's 
greatness and of her greatness to come! 
(Enter Zazamankh. He prostrates himself before the ditvan.) 

Pharaoh: Speak, thou wise one! 

Zazamankh: Now do the splendors of Egypt gleam like a dazzling jewel 
upon the breast of the desert. Yet in a brief space shall the sun-god 
hide his face, and darkness shall descend upon all the land. Then shall 
a priest of Ra, god of gods, god of the sun, god of light, bring forth 
from darkness three sons, who shall be the offsprings of Ra, the divine 
disposer of all things. And they shall reign over the land of the Nile. 
They shall glorify the god of light! They shall rear unto him temples 
of stone. On altars of alabaster shall he receive sacrifice, and his fol- 
lowers shall drive forth the enemies of Egypt, and restore all the land 
unto power. 

Pharaoh: Thy words are false, thou lying prophet! No sons of priestlings 
shall usurp the throne of Pharaoh. I tell thee Egypt is at the summit 
of her power! 

Zazamankh: Aye! Egypt is at the summit of her power, and there she 
lies motionless, drunk with contentment! 

Pharaoh: Away with thee, thou vulture! Thou hast presumed to mock 
at Pharaoh, the descendant of Osiris! 

(Zacamaiikh is dragged away by the guards. From outside drifts in the 
chant of the worshippers of Ra. Pharaoh covers his ears, and then turns 
and clasps the Lady Taruru to him.) 

Pharaoh: Let Pharaoh forget all else save the amber light of thine eyes, 
save the soft coolness of thine arms! 

Baurdeed (dolefully) ; The King of Kings heeds not the cry of Egypt! 

Herkhuf (prostrating himself before the dizvan): The Ambassador from 
Phoenicia doth crave admission to Pharaoh. Yet, though my words 
should mean my death, I do once more entreat thee, anger not Phoe- 
nicia by thine indifference, oh Majesty! 

Pliaraoh (absently, and gazing into the eyes of Taruru): Let him enter 
into the divine presence of Pharaoh of Egypt! 

(Enter the Ambassador from Phoenicia. He is followed by tivo pages, 
and behind them come tzvo slaz'es, carrying a rug, zvhich is rolled around 
the gift.) 

Ambassador (kneeling) : Oh, Pharaoh, Lord of the Diadem of the Vulture 
and the Serpent, living light of the land of the Nile, thrice hath Abdosir, 
Prince of Tyre, sent offerings unto thee, and thrice have his offerings 
offended thy sight! Yet once again doth my master send a gift unto 
the descendant of Osiris, a treasure more precious than emeralds as 
green as the fields of the Nile, than amethysts more purple than the 
distant hills, than turquoise as blue as the skies of Egypt. May the 
eyes of Pharaoh look upon the gift with pleasure! 

Pharaoh (indifferently) : Display thy master's gift, oh Ambassador from 
Phoenicia! 

Taruru (drazmng Pharaoh fozvards her): Nay, my Lord, look not upon the 
gift from Phoenicia! Look upon thy slave! 



NAIYA JANAM Page 37 



Pharaoh: Say not that thou art the slave of Pharaoh, for Pharaoh is even 
thy slave! 

(The music of the dance starts. The slaves unroll the rug, and the gift, a 
beautiful girl, arises. She first prostrates herself before the throne of 
Pharaoh, who does not look in her direction at all, and then dances. At the 
end of the dance, she again prostrates herself before the dizvan. Herkhuf 
comes forward.) 

Herkhuf: What is the pleasure of Pharaoh? 

Pharaoh (not looking at him): Pharaoh would be alone! 

(All form into a procession and leave. The dancing girl waits until all have 
gone except the tzw slaves who are waiting for her. She then rises and starts 
to follow them, but at the doorway, turns, and once more runs to the diwan, 
and sinks dozmi in a forlorn heap.) 

Taruru: What am I to Pharaoh? 

Pharaoh: Without thee the heart of Pharaoh virould be like unto Egypt 
without the Nile, a desert! I would feel thy warm lips on mine! 
(They are in a close embrace, their lips almost touching, when the voice of 
the dancing girl breaks in upon them.) 

Gift: Awah! Awah! Awah! The eyes of Pharaoh have not looked upon 
me with pleasure! Death awaits me upon the altar of Astarte! Awah! 
Awah! Awah! 

Pharaoh (looking up quickly): Into the heart of Pharaoh strikes a cry of 
human suffering! 

Taruru: What matters the whimpering of a slave to the King of Kings, 
whose ears have heeded not the call of Egypt, but only the pleadings 
of his love? 

Pharaoh: Egypt is strong! This is the cry of some weak, tortured thing! 

Gift: Awah! Awah! Awah! Death awaits me on the altar of Astarte! 
(Pharaoh rises and looks down upon the prostrate form of the girl. Taruru 
tries to attract his attention back to herself.) 

Taruru: Pharaoh has said that he could forget all else in the light of my 
eyes! 

(Pharaoh pays no attention to her. He descends from the diwan, and the 
dancing girl crawls to his feet, abjectly contmuing her wailing.) 

Pharaoh: What mean thy words — that death awaits thee? 

Gift: Pharaoh has scorned me. The King of Kings has no eyes for the 
gift from the Prince of Tyre. Therefore am I disgraced. Therefore 
shall I be sacrificed upon the altar of Astarte! Awah! Awah! 

Pharaoh: Thy words do fill the heart of Pharaoh with pity. Lift up thine 
head! 

(The girl lifts up her head and gases pleadingly into Pharaoh's eyes. Taruru, 
who has been zvatching the scene with growing jealousy, now creeps torvards 
them.) 

Pharaoh (to the gift): Thou art like unto a frightened dove! 

(He looks down at the girl pityingly. Taruru springs tozpards them. A 
knife flashes in her hand. She is about to bring it dozvn into the back of 
the girl, when Pharaoh turns suddenly and grasps her hand, preventing the 
blow. Taruru looks terrified, then holds out her arms to Pharaoh. He 
turns away from her zmth a groan of horror and disgust. Realizing that 
she has killed his love for her, she turns the dagger towards her ozvn heart. 
Just as the dagger descends, the curtains at the back of the room part, and 
Herkhuf stands there, zvith a slow, satisfied smile, zvatching the tragedy as 
the curtain goes dozvn. Off stage is heard the chanting of the zvorshippers 
of Ra. 



NAIYA JANAM Page 39 



BEFORE THE CURTAIN 

(The Djinnec leads The Girl back to the center of the sta^^e.) 

The Djinnee: Thy dagger took thy Hfe and love as well, 
Thine own deed hurled thy precious life away. 
What voice within thy heart could so compel 
Thy hand to evil? Whom didst thou obey? 
What vile, distorted being prompted thee? 

The Girl: 'Twas Jealousy that took my love from me! 
Still farther would I go into the past! 

The Djinnee: Then be thou not aghast 
At what thou next shalt see! 

(They exit, followed by the Evil Spirit of Jealousy.) 



NAIYA JANAM Page 41 



BEFORE THE CURTAIN 

(The Djinnee and The Girl come through the curtains, lite house is in 
darkness with light flashing like lightning.) 

The Girl: Spirit, I am afraid ! 
All the world's black! 
Come to my aid! 

The Djinnee: Would'st thou turn back? 

The Girl: No, spirit, I shall dare 
To follow thee! 

The Djinnee: Then thou shalt see the glare 
Of lightnings. Hear the groan 
And split of tearing rock! 
The splintering crash of stone, 
And beast-like yells that mock 
Screams that shall pierce the air! 
Thou shalt shudder for man in the making. 
Cringe in the horror of seeing! 
Thou shalt feel the convulsion, the shaking 
Of the world in the labor of being! 

(They go to one side of the stage and the curtain rises on the cai'c-man 
scene.) 



NAIYA JANAM Page 43 

ACT III. 
THE SLAYER'S REWARD 

Characters 
The Reward. 
The Hunter. 
The Slayer. 
The Father. 
Villagers. 
Scene: The home of the cave-men. 

When the curtain rises, a solitary cave-man is seen, seated and monoto- 
nously beating a tom-tom. The Father, chief of the tribe, and an old man, 
enters from his cave. He shambles to the center of the stage, then lifts u[> 
his arms, and gives one long drawn yell. It is the summons for the cave- 
people to assemble. 

From all sides the cave-people troop in, and begin circling around the 
tom-tom in a clumsy dance. They are stooping, awkward creatures, not 
far removed from the monkey stage. They keep up a monotonous, ivord- 
less chant as they dance. Among the dancers are the Hunter and the Slayer. 
The Hunter is by far the most handsome of all the cave-men, a husky, stal- 
wart, young man. The slayer is an ugly, much scarred, brutal creature. 

Presently The Girl enters from the Father's cave. She is about to join 
in the dance when the Slayer seises her. She cries out in terror and the 
Hunter rushes to her rescue. He pulls the Slayer away from her, and the 
two men clinch, and roll on the ground, snarling and biting. 

The Father rushes up and kicks them apart, assisted by other cave-men. 
The Hunter and the Slayer both begin gabbling to the Father, each trying 
to plead his cause. They gesticulate totvard The Girl, strike themselves on 
the chest, and shake their fists at each other. The Girl watches them fasci- 
nated. The dance has stopped and the cave-people gather around much 
interested. The Father refuses to arbitrate the matter, and indicates to The 
Girl that she sitall choose between them. The Girl looks at them both, and 
then rushes into the arms of the Hunter. 

The Slayer, zvith a hozvl of protest, claws at her garments to attract 
her attention to him. Failing in this, he hastily goes into his cave, and 
returns immediately, bringing his possessions — skins, necklaces, and various 
other trinkets. These he throws at the feet of The Girl, and with ivhimpcrings 
and whinings, finally attracts her attention. 

When The Girl sees the Slayer's possessions, she leaves the arms of the 
Hunter, and fairly falls upon the things. She picks up each article, examining 
it and admiring it. She puts on the jewelry, crooning and cooing over it with 
joy. The Hunter at last attracts her attention back to himself. She looks 
longingly from him to the trinkets and back again. She seems to demand of 
him zvhat he can offer, but he has nothing to offer except a few trifles he 
has about him, and his undying love. She is about to embrace him, but the 
Slayer angrily pulls her back, starting to gather up his things. She wants 
the things — yearns for them. She cannot decide. The Slayer takes his pos- 
sessions back to his cave, then returns grunting defiantly. The cave-people 
gather around and begin to take part in the affair. The men are all in favor 
of having her choose the Hunter. They point to him in admiration and 
seem to tell of his bravery. The women, on the other hand, shake their 



Page 44 NAIYA JANAM 



heads, and, pointing tozuards the cave of the Slayer, remind her of his 
treasures. 

Finally, the Father, tired of this seemingly endless argument, flings The 
Girl roughly aside, and seems to have a method of his own for solving the 
problem. He steps fomrard between the tzvo rivals, and indicates that they 
shall go forth to the hunt, the Hunter in one direction and the Slayer in the 
other. Whoever shall bring home the largest kill before sundoivn shall have 
The Girl. The rivals give their oath to the Father to abide by this. The Girl 
agrees to it too. As they depart the Hunter looks to her for encouragement. 
She holds out her arms to him, and seems to tell him that she hopes he will 
zvin. The two men exit, one right and the other left, the cave-people trail- 
ing after them. 

The Girl is left alone on the stage. She sits down by the entrance of 
her Father's cave, and begins zvorking at pottery making. Her mind is not 
on her zvork. Presently she gets up, looks cautiously in all directions, steals 
into the Slayer's cave, and comes back zmth his trinkets. She plays zmth 
them and pats them. Then as voices off stage are heard, she hastily runs and 
puts them back in his cave. Two cazre-zvomen enter, carrying water jars 
zvhich they place at the entrance of the Father's cave. They chatter zmth 
The Girl for a moment. In their talk zuith her, they seem to be discussing 
her tzvo lovers. They point in the direction in which the Slayer went, then 
toward liis cave, and again indicate their admiration of his property. Then 
they point in the direction in zvhich the Hunter went and shake their heads. 
The Girl looks thoughtfully toward the Slayer's cave, then points in the 
direction in zvhich the Hunter left. She smiles and clasps her arms to her 
breast, indicating that she loves hint. The cave-zvomen depart, shaking their 
heads. It is beyond them to conceive of her not zvanting to be the rich wife 
of the Slayer. 

The Girl, alone again, seems to be pondering deeply. She looks in the 
direction in zvhich the Hunter zvent, holding out her arms imploringly, but 
even so, she keeps glancing towards the Slayer's cave. Suddenly she rushes 
into the Slayer's cave, comes out zinth his things, and runs into her Father's 
cave zvith them. 

The Slayer returns. He has a very small kill, a rabbit, and he looks 
disconsolate. His gestures indicate that he remembers his oath to the 
Father, and he bozvs to his fate. He sits doznm at the tom-tom, beating it 
and hozvling dismally. 

The Girl is seen furtively watching him from the entrance of her Father's 
cave. Presently the Hunter returns. He has a big kill and is yelling zvith 
joy. The Girl sees him and rushes into his arms zmth a glad cry. The 
Slayer, quite distraught, decides to make one more trial at tempting her 
zvith his zvealth. He goes into his cave, and discovers the theft of his things. 
He comes out in a rage, rushes at the Hunter and kills him. He then seizes 
The Girl and drags her to his cave. Just as one long drazvn scream from 
her pierces the air, bringing the cave-people rushing in, the curtain goes dozvn. 



IJ 



NAIYA JANAM Page 45 



BEFORE THE CURTAIN 

(The Djinnce leads The Girl back to the center of the stage.) 

The Girl: Spirit, my heart grows sick. 
Guide me I plead! 
The shadows, the clouds are thick. 
'Twas Greed, vile Greed 
That haunted me! 

The Djinnee: Then banish Greed from thee! 

The Girl: Oh, spirit, lead me from this hateful night! 
Far in the distance I can see dim light. 

The Djinnee: The light thou seest is the faintest glow, 
The flush of this world in its early morn! 
Into that fragrant dawning wouldst thou go? 

The Girl: Show me, kind spirit, how my soul was born! 
(They exit, follozved by the Evil Spirit of Greed.) 



NAIYA J AN AM Page 47 



BEFORE THE CURTAIN 

(Again The Djinnce and The Girl come before the curtain.) 

The Girl: Spirit, a sweet contentment seems to steal 

Over my weary being. I do feel 

As if I wandered through some fragrant wood, 

From out whose pathways I should never roam. 
The Djinnee: Thy mind recalls this once dear neighborhood, 

For now dost thou draw near to thy first home! 

Lift up thy veil and see 

The comrades who were then so dear to thee! 

(They retire to the right of the stage and the curtain rises on the Dryad 
sc^ne.) 



NAIYA JANAM Page 49 

ACT IV. 
THE SOUL OF THE DRYAD 

Characters 
The Dryad. 
The Shepherd. 
The Siren. 
Pan 

Pride 1 

Jealousy S- Evil Spirits. 
Greed J 

Nymphs. 
Scene: The cttrfaiii rises on a luoodland scene. The Nymphs are gathered 
about a little knoll near a pool. The 1st Nymph sings, assisted by the others. 

1st Nymph: What is the secret the woodland tells? 
What is the song she sings? 
Whence come her wondrous, magic spells 
Woven of a thousand springs? 

Love! Love! Fill my shadowed aisle 
With the gay, glad echoes of thy play! 
'Tis love, love makes the spring to smile, 
Soft I hear the woodland say! 

(The pipes of Pan are heard in the distance.) 
1st Nymph: Whence comes that piping? 'Tis Pan! 'Tis Pan! 

'Tis his merry notes we hear! 

Oh, frolicsome god, half beast, half man. 

Can it be thou art near? 
Pan: Dance! Prance! Let the woodland ring 

With the mirthful madness of thy play! 

Drink! Drink the gladness of the spring. 

For Pan comes capering thy way! 

(Enter Pan. Dance of Pan and the Nymphs.) 

(There is a pause in the dance.) 
1st Nymph: Oh, happy, happy Pan, thy pipes do play 

The very shreds of sadness from the world away! 
2nd Nymph: Pan, Pan, what art thou but a laugh, a smile? 
Pan: A jest, a living jest made in this clumsy style 

To please thy fancy, and thy fancy and thine! 

Laugh! Sing then! Thy song is like sweet wine 

To make the pulses leap and the heart glow! 

With me make war against old crying Woe! 

Drown all his groans with laughter! 
2nd Nymph: Caper thou, Pan, and we will follow after! 
Pan: Here, there, everywhere in a mad dance we'll go! 

(They dance and come gradually to a pause again.) 
1st Nymph: Goat-god, when thou art near joy rules us all! 
2nd Nymph: Tell us, do mortals answer to thy call 

And follow thee? 



Pa(..e 50 NAIYA JANAM 



Pan: Oft to this glade 

Do mortals wander, charmed and yet afraid. 

Its joy they strive to find. Their half-blind eyes 

Do burn with eagerness! 
2nd Nymph: Should we surprise 

Some mortal shepherd, Pan, then should we know 

A mortal love? 
Pan: Thy quivering heart would grow 

Into a tortured thing, a burning pain. 
2nd Nymph: If that is true, then what would be the gain 

Of knowing love? Yet voices all about 

Do whisper 'Love! Love!' 
Pan: Nay! Laugh and shout! 

Love's dangerous! Play's the thing! 

Dance, lovely comrades, heed the call of spring! 

Hers is the voice of revel, of the birth 

Of strange sweet madness over all the earth! 
2nd Nymph: Pan, in thy heart must that sweet madness glow! 
Pan: 'Tis joy, joy strangling the cries of woe! 

Turning his sobs to laughter! 
2nd Nymph: Caper thou. Pan! And we will follow after! 
Pan: Here, there and away into the woods we go! 
All: Heigh-ho, and away and away into the woods we go! 

(The Nymphs frolic away off stage and Pan crouches down by the pool.) 
Pan: (Sadly, as the echoes of their words reach him): 

Heigh-ho! And away and away — 

And the voice of our hearts must silent stay. 

The pains and the tears we must banish away! 

Heigh-ho! And away and away! 

(Voices of the Nymphs off stage echo the last line.) 
Pan: Heigh-ho! And away and away — 

Pan's but a jest, a thing made to play! 

Why, Pan has no heart! Ah, well an a day! 

Heigh-ho! And away and away! 

(Pan casts off his sadness and once more begins to play on his pipes.) 

(A Voice from down in the pool takes up Pan's song.) 
Voice: Heigh-ho! And away and away — 

Poor Pan had a heart. It was wont to stray. 

And the loved ones it sought for had naught to say 
But heigh-ho! And away and away! 

(Pan crouches down, trembling.) 
Pan: Thy words are true, thou lovely evil thing! 

Can my poor sorrow to thy cold heart bring 

A taste of pleasure? Is it worth thy while 

To cast on my poor follies thy slow smile, 

The smile that turns thy victim's blood to ice? 
Voice: Thou ugly prancing beast, I tell thee thrice 
And more times yet have I seen thee pursue 
Thy fleeting love! 



NAIYA J AN AM Page 51 



Pan: And thy mean spirit drew 

From my despair, a jest! My pipes I'll play, 

I'll have no more of thee! 
Voice: One moment stay, 

Thou capering goat. If thou thy grief wouldst kill 

Let revenge be the salve to cure thine ill. 

Let others grieve. Rejoice while they do weep! 

I still do please men's eyes. My pool is deep 

And filled with magic liquid. Those who taste 

Its bitter sweetness in love's reckless haste, 

Are turned to loathsome beings! Play, Pan, play! 

Let thy pipes make some mortal's feet to stray 

Into this grove. I'll turn his heart to flame! 

And he shall drink! Drink, Pan! 'Tis a game! 

A jest to make thy foolish heart forget 

Its hopeless love, its aching, vain regret! 
Pan: Thy cruel words arouse the beast in me! 

Oh, that I were all god, a spirit free 

From mortal passions! 
Voice: Wouldst thou laugh agai>: 

Pan: Tell me, thou fiend, can pain rejoice in pain? 

I grant thee for all joys we have to pay 

A price — the memory of the yesterday! 

I will be glad ! I will be glad ! Say on 

Thou temptress! Shall I now be gone 

To find for thee a lover? 
Voice: Go thou, Pan! 

We shall make sport of poor, weak, mortal man! 

(A man's voice is heard off stage.) 

Visions do greet mine eyes, then quickly fade. 

Into what mystic ivoodland have I strayed?" 

Listen, goat-god, a mortal voice I hear. 

Hasten, and with thy magic draw him near! 

(Pan capers about ziith his pipes and softly takes up his old song.) 
Pan: Heigh-ho! And away and away — 

Come hither, thou wanderer, come and play! 

Thy love is calling to thee today! 

Heigh-ho! And away and away! 

(The voices of the Nymphs off-stage echo the last line. Enter the Shep- 
herd. He seems in a daze and looks about wonderingly. Pan crouches azvay 

so that the Shepherd does not see him.) 
Shepherd: Faint music do I hear. Sweet melodies 

Do haunt these woods, borne by the fragrant breeze 

They come to tease my senses, to awake 

New longings in my breast. The very trees do shake 

And quiver with expectancy. What grove is this? 

(The Siren rises from the pool in a glozv of light. She stretches her arms 

tozvards him. He stands transfixed by the vision.) 
Siren: Here shalt thou learn the meaning of love's kiss! 
Shepherd: Surely I dream! My eyes deceive me quite. 

Thou radiant, wondrous vision of delight, 

What art thou? 



Page 52 NAIYA JANAM 



Siren: Draw thou near and see! 

The love deep in my eyes is all for thee, 

For thee alone and thou dost so desire! 
Shepherd: Thy beauty burns me with a living fire! 

Thine eyes hold mine. I may not turn away! 
Siren: Thine whole desire is thine and thou dost stay! 

My arms yearn for thee. Pray draw nearer still. 

My lips are thine, thine only! Do thy will! 

(He bends over her, not daring to kiss her.) 
Shepherd: Thou art too beautiful! I fear to taste such bliss! 

I fear thee, yet would crush thee, kill thee for one kiss! 

My heart cries out for all that thou wilt give! 

Yet could man know that heaven and still live? 

(He draws away from her, hut she clings to him.) 
Siren: So thou'rt afraid! To love thou dost not dare! 
Shepherd: Thy magic holds me in a golden snare, 

Quivering and faint for love, for want of thee! 

Take thine enchantment from me! Set me free! 

This is but burning torture' 
Siren: Wouldst thou go? 

Then love's sweet ecstacy thou shalt not know! 

But love's despair shall reign within thine heart 

Forever! Mortal, farewell! We part! 

(She draivs away. He clutches to7vards her frantically.) 
Shepherd: Thou shalt not go! I tell thee thou art mine! 

And I shall kiss thee! Drink thy lips like wine, 

Red wine, throbbing and beating through my veins like fire 

The life within me's but one mad desire 

For thee! Leave me not! Pity my deep pain! 

Let mine eyes see thy loveliness again! 

(She reappears a bit farther away from him. He reaches towards her 

pleading.) 
Siren: So love has made thee brave, strong to endure 

The cruel white heat of passion! Art thou sure 

Thou dost desire me? 
Shepherd: More than the breath 

Of life! Without thee, there is naught but death 

Within me! 
Siren: Then, mortal, shalt thou know 

Love's secret, love's fulfilment ere thou go 

From out this woodland. One thing thou must do 

Before thy glowing, golden dream comes true. 

Drink thou one draught of magic water cool 

From out the crystal clearness of my pool! 

If thou wouldst have my love, I beg thee this 

One act to do. Then my embrace — my kiss! 
Shepherd: Were it the vilest poison, still I'd drain 

Its bitter depth if only I could gain 

One kiss, one clinging, close embrace with thee! 

(He drinks from the pool, and rises, turned info a hideous creature. The 



NAIYA JANAM Page 53 



Siren is mad with joy al what she has done. Site jeers at him, gloating 
upon his misery.) 
Siren: Thou fool! Thou fool! Thou monster; Pan, come see 

Our jest! This mortal did aspire 

To know my kiss! Led by this mad desire, 

He drank, drank deeply from my magic pool! 

Behold him now! Vile, ugly, loathsome fool! 
Shepherd: What mean these words? I do not understand! 

Did I not drink that draught at thy command 

To win thy love? Why dost thou turn from me? 
Siren: Gaze in the pool's still surface. Thou shalt see 

Thy face. 'Tis beautiful indeed! 

I yearn for thee! Thou art my love's great need! 

Thy loveliness doth make the birds to sing! 

Entrancing mortal! 
Shepherd: Thou hast done this thing! 

It is not true! 'Tis but an ugly dream! 
Siren: Thy face is truly ugly. It would seem 

Not to be that of beast, nor god, nor man! 

'Tis but a freak at which to jeer! Come, Pan! 

Laugh with me! Jest with me! We have played our game! 

(Enter Pan.) 
Shepherd: Thou hast done this thing! 

Pan: Yea, I do almost pity thee, and yet ' 

Mine own repulsive form I ne'er forget! 

All mock at me. None there are who believe 

That my wild heart, half beast, half god, can grieve! 

One thing remains for Pan — to laugh, to sing! 

Then let these pipes throughout the woodland ring! 

Pan's but an elf, a living prank, set free 

To romp! How should he pity thee! 

(Exit Pan, capering and piping.) 
Shepherd: Stay, Pan, stay! Leave me not here alone! 

I know thine heart by the pain in mine own! 

Gone! He is gone! He heeded not my cry. 

What matters it? Better alone to die. 

(The stage becomes dark.) 

Darkness comes! It is the kindly night 

Whose shadows hide my shame away from sight. 

Is this the end of all my life? Oh, why 

Should I have found this dreadful place to die 

A loathsome death? Let me forget 

That ever I did live, and love — Art thou there yet? 

Do thy cruel eyes the darkness pierce to see 

The horror that thy beauty wrought for me? 

(The siren has gone, but the faces of the evil spirits spring out of the dark- 
ness, now appearing close by the Shepherd's side, now farther azvay.) 

Thou dreadful grinning phantoms, art thou sent 

To bring new terrors to me, to torment 

My tortured brain to madness? Speak, I say! 

(The evil spirits mock his zvords: "My tortured brain to madness! Speak 

I say!" Then they squeal and chortle in glee.) 



Page 54 NAIYA JANAM 



Shepherd: Oh, let the darkness cover me away! 

There is no pity in this ghastly glade. 

I am myself a loathsome creature made 

To mock. No kindly spirit hears 

My grief. Oh, earth, drink thou my tears 

Of bitter, bitter shame! 

(He collapses weeping at the foot of a big tree. The evil spirits exit. Sud- 
denly light comes and the tree opens, revealing a beautiful little Dryad.) 
Dryad: What mortal tears 

Fall on my tree? 

What haunting fears 

Have set me free? 

Mortal, thy strife 

Hath wakened me to life! 

Hid in this oak 

I heard thy woe! 

When thy heart broke 

Mine own did grow 

Within me. See! 

Thy tears gave life to me! 

Unhappy youth. 

Lift up thy head! 

Tell me in truth 

Why thy heart bled? 

Arise! Awake! 

I live for thy sweet sake! 

(She bends over him pityingly.) 
Shepherd: Dear dryad, if my tears have done for thee 

Some good, if from thy prison thou art free 

Through any act of mine, I welcome this 

Cruel punishment as if it were sweet bliss! 

Only I beg thee, leave me. Go thy way! 

Join thou thy sisters in the woods at play. 

Yet know thy sweet and gentle words do lend 

A comfort which shall last unto the end 

Of all my sad existence. 
Dryad: I'll not go 

And leave thee here alone. 
Shepherd: It must be so. 

Dryad: Ah, no, but lift thy tearful eyes to me. 

In mine thou shalt read comfort. Thou shalt see 

That joy still lives. Happiness is not dead. 

Dear shepherd, I implore thee, lift thy head. 
Shepherd: Thanks for thy tender pity. Should I raise 

My head, a sight would meet thy gaze 

Such as would cause disgust and fear in thee, 

A sickening vision which thou shouldst not see! 
Dryad: Then would that I could weep here by thy side! 

Alas, that tears should be a gift denied 

To such as I. Would I were mortal too. 
Shepherd: An thou wert mortal, what then wouldst thou do? 



NAIYA JAN AM Page 55 



Dryad: Love thee, love thee — Love? — what do I feel 
Clutching my heart, making my senses reel? 
Voices everywhere whisper strange things. 
Mine ears do faintly hear soft, fluttering wings! 
What secret hangs like fragrance on the air? 
Love! Love! Thy sweet enchantment I would share! 
Sing me thy song! 

(The Nymphs begin singing off-stage, and come slowly into viezv. They 
sing the first stan:;as of the song at the beginning of the scene.) 
What is the secret the woodland tells? 

What is the song she sings? 
Whence come her wondrous, magic spells 

Woven of a thousand springs? 

Love! Love! Fill my shadowed aisle 

With the gay, glad echoes of thy play! 

'Tis love, love makes the spring to smile, 
Soft I hear the woodland say. 

(The Dryad listens fascinated. Dreamily she repeats the last t7vo lines.) 

'Tis love, love makes the spring to smile 

Soft I hear the woodland say! 

(She looks tozvard the prostrate form of the Shepherd and then ffies to 

him.) 
Dryad: I love thee! I love thee! 
Shepherd: How can this be? The pain, the horror's gone! 

I wake from ghastly dreams to love's fair dawn! 

Sweet, tender words are whispered in mine ear. 

The past's all dim. Love! Love! 'Tis thou art near, 

And I will look on thee! 

(He rises. His disfigurement is gone, and he is once more beautiful. He 

and the Dryad stand gazing into each other's eyes in silent joy.) 
Shepherd: Thou art a pure, bright light 

Folding my being in thy silver gleams! 

Thou art the very flower of all delight 

The lovely blossom of my realized dreams! 
Dryad: And I am thine, thou dear one, only thine! 

The love within my heart is all for thee. 

And thou shalt find me like the tender vine. 

Clinging in fond caress to yonder tree. 

(They are almost in each other's arms when the 2nd Nymph runs forivard 

and kneels before the Dryad, clinging to her and trying to draw her away.) 
2nd Nymph: I pray thee, sister, one brief moment wait 

Before thou give thyself to love's embrace. 

One mortal kiss and it will be too late! 

Never thy wandering steps canst thou retrace. 

And mortal love is very hard to bear. 

I have been told this by our comrade, Pan! 

Of love's consuming flame we should beware! 

Thy precious hfe of freedom just began. 
1st Nymph: Would'st bind thyself with fetters thus so soon? 

Stay with us. Dance to Pan's sweet, merry tune! 



Page 56 NAIYA JANAM 



(The Nymphs gather around her and Pan enters, but the Dryad turns zifist- 

fully to the Shepherd.) 
Dryad: Thy words are kind, dear nymphs, dear sisters all, 

Yet must I harken to my true love's call. 
Pan: Would'st thou become a mortal, foolish one? 

Follies committed may not be undone. 

Here thou art free! Thou canst forever play! 

Thy life will be one long delightful day 

Within these woods. 
Dryad: Tell me if I do go 

What shall befall me. Pan? 
Pan: Thou'lt know 

The sins of man. They shall pursue 

Thee all thy many, weary lifetimes through. 
Shepherd: Heed not his words! Our love is of the weave 

Of heavenly things. Believe, my dear, believe! 
Dryad: I do believe and yet he makes me grieve! 
Pan: Grieve! Yea, grieve — already thou dost feel 

Tormenting mortal passions o'er thee steal. 

Wouldst see these evil sprites of mortal woe 
Who shall be at thy side if thou dost go? 

Come Pride, come Greed, come Jealousy into the light! 

(The evil spirits come trooping into the light. The Dryad and the Nymphs 

draw away from them and huddle together. The Shepherd never turns 

his eyes from the Dryad. Pan and the evil spirits prozcl and caper about in 

a weird half-dance, punctuated with Utile shrill squeals.) 
Dryad: Vile phantoms thou dost fill my heart with fright! 

Thou shalt not grasp me in thy cold embrace! 

I'll shake thee off! 
Pride: Nay, do not scoff 

At me, staid, self-torturing Pride, 

Writhing from tearing wounds made in my side, 

Placed there by mine own hand. 

Forlorn, alone thou'lt stand 

With me for company! 
Dryad: I fear not thee! 

Now will I go 

With thee, my dear, 

I love thee so. 
Pan: Nay, Dryad, wait! 

Green Jealousy would whisper in thine ear! 
Dryad: Thy wicked messages I will not hear. 
Jealousy: I'll show to thee another in the embrace 

Of thy false love, robbing thee of thy place! 

I'll make hate fill thy heart! 
Dryad: Cease thou thy dreadful art! 
Shepherd: Come, my beloved, I plead! 
Greed (catching at her): 

Nay! Listen to the whimpering of Greed! 

I clutch, I gobble, lie, desire 

Another's blessings. I conspire 



NAIYA J AN AM Page 57 



With loathsome creatures that I may attain 

My wants. I live for love of gain! 
Pan: These phantoms shall pursue thee if thee give 

Thy love to him, through all the lives thou'lt live! 
2nd Nymph: Dear Dryad, do not go! 

Such mortal suflfering tliou shouldst never know. 

The woods are sweet! 

Follow us then with gaily dancing feet! 
Shepherd: Dear love, do thou thy will. 

My heart's but a sob for thee! 

Yet stay in thy woodland still 

If there thou wilt happy be. 

And if I must fare alone 

Through life's tedious while, 

I shall smile, for I have known 

The light of thy smile. 

(The Dryad looks at him long, then turns to the Nymt^hs. The evil spirits 

have gone.) 
Dryad: Sweet Nymphs, farewell! Thou lovely woodland glade 

Forever must I leave thy kindly shade. 

For thee, my dear, Fll dare all mortal strife! 

Did not thy heart's cry waken me to life? 

Thy sorrow from my prison set me free? 

Now thy love gives a mortal soul to me. 

Farewell, my sisters! Capering Pan, farewell! 

No longer in thy woodland may I dwell! 
Pan: My poor beast's mind can never, never see 

Clearly into love's mystic twilight land. 

Yet your words seem to thrill the god in me! 

Partly my foolish heart can understand. 

I know love sings, 

The love that dares all things. 
2nd Nymph: And thou wilt all thine own companions leave, 

Live endless mortal lives each filled with woe? 

Surely the time will come that thou shalt grieve 

For this cool woodland home if thou dost go! 
Dryad: Yea, for this forest oft times will I yearn. 

While the harsh lessons of my life I learn. 

Yet one thing do I need all else above! 

My heart's a voice, a cry — love answering love! 
2nd Nymph: Farewell, I am loath to lose thee, sister sprite, 

Yet dimly do I know that thou art right! 
Dryad (to Shepherd): 

Give me thy hand! 

Far, far away 

In some new land 

We'll be today! 

The birds do sing. 

A soft light glows above, 

'Tis dawn, sweet dawn! 
Shepherd: It is the dawn of love! 



Page 58 NAIYA JANAM 



(They kiss and stand clasped in each other's arms while Pan and the 
Nymphs steal slowly away singing.) 

Heigh-ho! And away and away — 
Tell me, oh tell me what love doth say! 
I am thine forever and ever a day! 
Heigh-ho! And away and away — 
Heigh-ho! And away and away! 

Curtain. 



•<>• 



NAIYA JANAM Page 59 



BEFORE THE CURTAIN 



(The Djinnee leads The Girl to the center of the stage as before.) 

The Girl: Spirit, the burden from my heart has gone. 

Things which did greatly trouble me seem clear! 

The night is past. 'Tis dawn, sweet, radiant dawn! 

I would return to him I hold most dear. 

Spirit, wilt thou still linger by my side? 
The Djinnee: Go, and forever with thy true love bide, 

Throughout this life and all thy future lives. 

All things are well if only love survives. 

xAiud now farewell! Far into space I go! 
The Girl: Farewell, dear spirit — spirit, I would know 

That thou art near me always, lest I grope 

In darkness still as in the long ago. 

Thy presence fills my heart with love and hope. 
The Djinnee: Then in thy time of need. 

The lessons of thy other lifetimes heed. 

Farewell! 
The Girl: Farewell! 

(They exit different sides of the stage.) 



NAIYA JANAAd Page 61 



EPILOGUE 

Chayacici's. 
The Girl. 
The Man. 
Zahir-u-Din. 

Scene: Same as the prologue. The Girl « seated in the big chair by the fire, 
asleep. Zahir-u-Din sits at the center back, close to the curtains, piping, 
as he was just before the appearance of the Djinnee. A door-hcU off stage 
rings. Zahir-u-Din rises to his feet, and listens. 

Zahir-u-Din: What summons breaks upon the hush of dawn? 

What weary wanderer through the lonely night, 

Calls out to us before the stars are gone, 

Before the elves of darkness are in flight? 

(Just as Zahir-u-Din exits, the bell rings again,, and The Girl wakes. She 

looks about her in a daze and puts out her hands gropingly.) 
The Girl: Spirit, where are you? I have lost my way. 

About me hovering shadows of the night 

Are gathering. All my senses sway. 

Lead me, I pray you, spirit, into the light. 

(She opens her eyes, and starts at her surroundings.) 

There was a kindlj'- presence by my side! 

Where was it? Through what distant, shadow land 

Have I been travelling with my mystic guide? 

Was it a dream? Ah, now I understand! 

Now I remember. Oh, my love is gone. 

Snatched from my hungry arms, leaving me all alone! 

Nothing but misery comes with this pallid dawn 

Nothing but loneliness. Maybe the fault was my own. 

Yet through the mist of my sorrow a something arises 

Elusive, alluring. My memory catches the gleams 

Of a moment of ecstasy such as the fancy devises, 

Creates from the shimmering fabric of beautiful dreams! 

(She stands looking dreamily into space as Zahir-u-Din enters. He sitlaains 

to her.) 

The Girl: Oh, Zahir-u-Din, what brings you here? I'm confused, half 
asleep still. Oh, why did I wake? 

Zahir-u-Din: 'Twas the ringing of the bell that woke thee, oh my mem- 
sahib. 

The Girl: What bell, Zahir-u-Din? I heard no bell, but music and voices 
seem to echo in my ears from far away. Have 1 been sleeping long? 
Is it near morning? 

Zahir-u-Din: Ai, the new day is drawing near, oh my mistress, and there 
is one whose face is wan and white, even as the dawning light, who 
comes to thee from long wandering through the lonely hours of night. 

The Girl: Here? Zahir-u-Din, is he here? 

Zahir-u-Din: He is here, even he whom thou boldest most dear. 

The Girl: I will see him. 
(E.rit Zahir-u-Din.) 



Page 62 NAIYA JANAM 



The Girl: I sent him way. It was her fault. Somehow it all seems unreal, 

far away. But there is a haunting reality somewhere — what music 

comes to me? What sweet voices whisper in my ear? 

(l^ery, very faintly from off stage comes the melody of the Nymphs' Song— 

" 'Tis love, love makes the spring to smile," etc. The Man enters. He is 

haggard and wretched, and turns to her in a heart-broken appeal.) 
The Man: Your voice I seemed to hear close by my side. 

I felt you calling me, and so I came. . 

Vainly to reason with myself I tried. 

My love and grief have banished all my shame. 

Laugh at me if you will, I've lost all pride. 

Only I know I felt you by my side. 
The Girl: My dear one, in a dream I called to you, 

And you have come to make that dream come true! 

It seems as if I've travelled far away. 

Into a someplace far beyond, above. 

Now all my doubts and fears have gone astray! 

Such evil spirits could not live with love! 
The Man: My love, my love, can it be you are mine? 

Such joy is almost more than I can bear! 
The Girl: Come, all your sorrow you must now resign. 

No longer need your weary heart despair. 

No longer shall you be forlorn, alone! 
The Man: Such happiness, such joy I scarcely dare 

To realize! Oh, my love! My own! 

(They embrace, and she leads him gently towards the fireplace. She sits 

down in the big chair and he kneels beside her, his head in her arms. Off 

stage the voices of the Nymphs are heard in the song.) 

The End. 
Curtain. 



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